Players to watch: Sweeper Estrada is a solid defender with the green light to join the attack if the situation calls for it. “She’s a strong, knowledgeable player and our team leader,” said Greco. “She dribbles well and (although she’s a defender), she’ll help us out all over the place.” Khan is a center midfielder. “She’s great with crosses,” the coach said. “She’ll be looking to set up teammates.”

2012 outlook: Greco had 25 players try out for the team and with a developmental season under the Dragons’ belt, she’s hoping her team’s ready for the real thing. “I think the potential is there. We want to go out and compete every game and develop our program and I like what I’ve seen.” 

Players to watch: Berete believes Angulo picked up some valuable experience as a freshman and is hoping her overall production increases. “She can distribute the ball with quick passes,” said Berete. “She can make things happen.” Carlson is best known as a tennis play, but she decided to play soccer her senior year. “It’s the first time she’s playing (in high school), but she’s talented and quick,” the coach said. “She brings a lot of energy.” Sweeper Kamara will wear a lot of hats from the back. “She’s the engine of our team,” Berete said. “She’ll give us leadership, she’ll take our free kicks and do a good job for us defensively.” Berete is also hoping sophomore forward Rivera will produce more this season.

2012 outlook: Naturally, Berete would like some wins this season, but with a relatively young squad, he’s hoping to make it an on-the-job training atmosphere. “It’s not only about winning, but teaching and with each win and loss, we will learn,” he said. “We’re getting ready. We’ve got several club players on the team blending with our returning players and I like what I see so far.”

Players to watch: Rondina, a three-year starter, will anchor MSIT’s defense at stopper. “Rebecca’s solid defensively, but she’ll also come up and set up scoring chances when the situation calls for it,” Santarpia said. “She has the ability to see (those chances) and go.” Gallo played forward along with four-time Advance All Star Jackie Bruno last season and will now be asked to play a more prominent role. “She’s now going to have to step up (and produce) more. We’re going to need her to put it in the net,” the coach said. “She’s been showing some good things in practice with the way she’s been (getting off shots).” Caroline DeSantis is tabbed as a solid, two-way center midfielder. “Her ball control is spectacular,” Santarpia said. “She’ll be involved setting up plays and scoring as well, but she also does a good job covering for (Rondina) when she makes a run.”

2012 outlook: The defending Island champs took a hard hit in graduation, losing Bruno, sweeper Breanna Brukalo and midfieler Kristen Brennan and, according to Santarpia, they only have one senior (Wiedemann) on their roster. Nonetheless, Santarpia expects a lot from her players. “We’ll be looking for players to step up and play the way we know how to play,” she said. “I’m encouraged at what we’ve been doing. We need to play aggressively.” 

Players to watch: Senior D’Arpe took the Island PSAL division by storm last season, scoring the most goals (18) and the third-most points (36) to help the Central Cougars earn a playoff spot. Kvasic is hoping for more of the same this season. “She can play any position,” praised the veteran coach. “She has very good dribbling skills, she gets around players and shoots really well.” The Daluise twins, Alex and Danielle, have paid their dues, according to the coach and they’re expected to produce more this season while hard-working midfielders Rupelli and McWilliams (5 goals, 4 assists) are equally effective as scorers and play-makers. Frosh Perez, a defensive midfielder, should make an immediate impact. Kvasic is also hoping goalie Garippa can stay healthy (she dealt with knee and ankle injuries in 2011) for the entire season. “She’s worked really hard and she has a knack of getting the ball and reading forwards real well,” he said. “And her punts go to the (midway point of the field) or close to it.”

2012 outlook: Kvasic said his freshman class is one of the strongest he’s had in the “last 15-20 years” and he hopes they blend quickly with his returning players. “For starters we’d like to improve on our record of last year,” he said. “And if we qualify for the playoffs, I’d like to see us go a bit further. I think the younger girls will help. We’re going in a positive direction.” 

Players to watch: Price, the Panthers’ third-leading goal scorer last season (five), will be asked to turn up her production. “She’s much improved,” acknowledged Caccese. “She has speed and skill. We’re looking for senior leadership and to put us on the board.” Center midfielder Litrell has played a physical game in the preseason, according to the coach. “She’s really grown as a player,” Caccese said. “She’s been aggressive and doing a good job distributing and winning (50-50) balls.” The speedy Caputo may land the starting sweeper job while fellow frosh Naeder will step in as goaltender. “She’s a natural keeper and she’s been doing great,” the coach said.

2012 outlook: The Panthers lost Advance All Stars Katrina Wiesner, a midfielder, and Victoria Roda, a sweeper, to graduation. Caccese, however, is hoping the work ethic this year’s team has displayed will go a long way. “Experience can be an issue this group, but they’ll run through a brick wall for you and I like that,” she said. “They work really hard in practice and because of that, I think we can be successful.” 

Players to watch: Forward Krasniqi scored three goals a year ago and first-year coach Roman is hoping for more this season. “She has to ability to get in open space, she sees the field and anticipates passes well,” Roman said. “She’s been striking the ball well and we’re expecting her to put it in the net.” Catherine Mulligan has improved, according to the coach. “She’s got a knack for the game — she knows when to attack,” the coach said. “She makes good passes and has the ability to make everyone around her better.” Goaltender Platt (“we need her to step into a leadership role”) and left midfielder Rodriguez (“a grinder who wins 50-50 balls and has a motor that doesn’t stop”) are also expected to make an impact for the Raiders.

2012 outlook: Roman saw strong commitment and good chemistry in the preseason and he believes it will translate into some more wins this season. “I’m expecting us to be more competitive,” he said. “If we bring enthusiasm and hustle to practices and games, we should do well. I like the way the girls have been passing and striking the ball.” 

Players to watch: Center midfielder Alexander was fourth on the Island in goals (11) and tied for sixth in points (23) as a freshman. “She’s the whole package offensively and defensively,” praised Rago. “If you need a goal, she gets it; she creates plays and wins a lot of 50-50 balls. The sky’s the limit for her.” Rago is counting on forwards Drekovic (four goals, 11 points) and Emanuele to cause havoc up front. “(Emanuele) has transformed her game to fit in nicely with (Drekovic). They’re compatible,” the coach said. “(Emanuele) is more of a play-maker while (Drekovic) has a knack of putting the ball in the net. But either way, they work well together.” Rago is also expecting freshmen Luxoro, Tountas, Chow and Cruz to make immediate impacts. “They all have good footwork,” Rago said. “They’re meshing well with our returnees.”

2012 outlook: Rago said it’s imperative for her squad to avoid slow starts that have plagued them in past seasons. “We’re trying to work on not coming out flat,” she said. “We want to come out powerful and score the first goal to stay one step ahead (of the opposition).” The Falcons will see where they stand right away as they open the season with consecutive games against Tottenville and defending Island champ MSIT. 

Staten Island Advance file photo by Derek AlvezSenior Nicole Tantillo, right, will be a critical playmaker in the Tottenville midfield.

Players to watch: Senior midfielder Tantillo (8 goals, 7 assists) and junior midfielder Brennan (5 goals, 5 assists) were sixth and ninth on the Island a year ago in scoring. Kaplan would like to see continued production from both. “(Tantillo’s) a playmaker with a good sense what to do with the ball. She wins her share of 50-50 balls,” said Kaplan. “And (Brennan) is fast and skilled. She’s great in the air, particularly on corners.” Sweeper Russo and stopper Appel will anchor Tottenville’s defense. According to the coach, junior defender Inserra noticeably improved over the last year while freshman defender Bianchi is expected to see time right away. Forwards McGuire (“a very fast player who does what it takes to win”) and Scopelliti (“she’s creative and aggressive and she’ll put it in the net”) will be asked to produce up front. Midfielders Amoroso, a solid crosser, and Dima, a playmaker, are also expected to make an impact.

2012 outlook: Sweeper Joanne Mierzejewski, midfielder Erin Connelly, stopper Brianna Castaldo and goalie Danielle Caporicci are among the graduation losses, but the Pirates return a solid nucleus that will again help them vie for the Island division title and a run in the playoffs. “I like to think the players filling in for the ones we lost will do their job. I think they will,” said Kaplan. “We have the talent, we just have to jell and function as a unit. If we do, I think we’ll do fine.”